Lifespan Religious Education 2010-2011
Programs for the Whole Family
Calendar -
Curriculum -
Committee -
Registration Form 
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Welcome!
It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the 2010-2011 church school year. We are pleased that you and your children are taking part in our program. This booklet is your guide to religious education programs available this year.
The goals of our program are to provide a place where children can: feel welcome and have a sense of belonging, explore religious ideas in an open-minded community, define and redefine their beliefs, ask questions, and share their sense of wonder. We hope to create an environment that respects and celebrates diversity while offering children opportunities to translate their ideals into actions. We want our children to own their beliefs.
The seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism provide the backbone for our program.
You Are Needed!!!
We have a cooperative volunteer program that needs the involvement of each parent. We encourage you to share your time and talents with us and your children, show an interest in their programs and engage them in conversations about what they are learning. We may also call upon you to substitute in a classroom or bring a healthy snack to share. Most importantly, please help your child attend classes regularly. By doing so, you will find the benefits are multiplied.
I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and your children in the coming year!
Chris Parker
Director of Religious Education
Who We Are
Our vision is a welcoming and supportive congregation that is also unique and diverse. We recognize the needs of our local and global communities and act in responsible ways.
Our Mission and Covenant
The mission of the Religious Education program is to nurture the heart, mind, and spirit of the church family. We offer programs and opportunities for all ages that embrace the UU Principles. In this spirit, we create
- a safe and welcoming place where everyone belongs;
- a nurturing place where wonder is valued;
- an engaging place where people listen, think, question and share;
- a spiritual place where people can explore world religions;
- a joyful place where friendship, community, music, art, worship, and service are shared;
- a socially responsible place that encourages all to be engaged with issues near and far;
- a caring place for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things;
- a hopeful place;
- a peaceful place.
Our Value Statement Covenant
We will approach our Vision, Mission and Covenant with honesty, creativity, kindness, compassion, and good humor.
When We Meet
Sunday Church School Schedule
| 10:00 AM | Children join Parents in the Sanctuary |
| 10:15 AM | Church School Classes Begin |
| 11:00 AM | Baby/Toddler Pick-Up (11:00 or immediately following the service) |
| 11:15 AM | All children are dismissed from their classrooms |
Children in preschool and older are invited to join in the service for the first 15 minutes each week before attending church school.
During the occasional Intergenerational Services (Intergen), children from preschool and older are invited to attend the full church service with their parents. Babies and toddlers meet as usual in Room 2.
During Sunday services when there is no church school, supervised activities are provided for those children who do not wish to attend the service.
Youth Programs
Babies/Toddlers
Birthdays after 9-30-07, Room 1
Childcare
Childcare is provided for infants and children who are still under the age of three by September 30. Our experienced caregivers, assisted by church members, take care of the youngest members of our church family. We try to make this experience for our youngest children as pleasant as possible - a warm, welcoming, and secure place away from home.
Preschool
Birthdays 10-1-05 to 9-30-07, Room 3
Celebrating Me and My World
Celebrating Me and My World begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children participating and expands outward to the things and people around them. This program provides the children with experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.
Activities are tailored for this age group, so please dress the children for active play and sometimes-messy crafts. Please also prepare your refrigerator for new artwork!
Kindergarten
Birthdays 10-1-04 to 9-30-05, Room 4
Treasure Hunting
Children explore what it means to be part of the Unitarian Universalist faith. They celebrate the uniqueness of each individual while gaining greater awareness of their community and the world around them. Age appropriate. crafts and games are used to explore these ideas.
First Grade
Room 5
Picture Book UU
This curriculum is based on a selection of picture books that illustrate our UU identity. Each book focuses on one of our seven principles or sources with an engaging story and beautiful illustrations. A typical session includes an opening activity, a sharing circle, and a variety of activities based on our UU beliefs.
Second Grade
Room 9-10
Faithful Journeys (fall)
Participants embark on a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions. Through sessions structured around the Unitarian Universalist Principles, Faithful Journeys demonstrates that our Principles are not a dogma, but a credo that individuals can affirm with many kinds of action. Over the course of the program, children discover a unity of faith in the many different ways Unitarian Universalists, including themselves, can act on our beliefs.
Rainbow Children (spring)
This is a program that affirms the inherent worth and beauty of self, family, community and human diversity. It is also an antibias curriculum that focuses on racial and ethnic prejudice with the intention of helping our children embrace the value of racial and ethnic diversity.
Third Grade
Room 8
Moral Tales (fall)
Moral Tales attempts to provide children with the spiritual and ethical tools they will need to make choices and take actions reflective of their Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values.
Heart Talk for Kids (fall)
The goal of Heart Talk for Kids is to empower children to create peaceful relationships by seeing the worth and dignity of all people, including themselves. The curriculum teaches communication skills based on Marshall Rosenberg's model of Nonviolent Communication.
Fourth-Fifth Grade
Room 7
Toolbox of Faith (fall)
What tools does Unitarian Universalism offer for the challenges of life? Children discover what aspects of UU faith are helpful to them, as they develop a "toolbox of faith."
Riddle and Mystery (spring)
This exciting curriculum helps young people experience how our individual search for meaning in the universe is supported and strengthened when we come together as people of faith. Participants explore our shared UU beliefs and where their own beliefs fit in the spectrum.
Sixth Grade
Room 6
Amazing Grace (fall)
Amazing Grace intends to help sixth graders understand right and wrong and act on their new understanding. Its purpose is to equip them for moving safely and productively through the middle and high school years, when they will be continually tugged toward both ends of the ethics continuum. Through their involvement in Amazing Grace, youth will come to recognize and depend upon their Unitarian Universalist identity and resources as they move toward independence, understanding and fulfillment of their personal promise.
Race to Justice (spring)
"Race to Justice" explores racial justice and diversity through the use of role-playing, games, and filmmaking. It directly addresses the UU Principles of the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; and the goal of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
Seventh & Eighth Grades
Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.)
Youth Room
The program is a human sexuality curriculum jointly developed between the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). This comprehensive, age-appropriate program helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.
Senior High
Youth Group meets Sunday evenings from 6 - 8pm in the Youth Room.
R.E. for Sr. High transitions into "Youth Empowerment." Our youth group provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, strengthens a sense of community, offers peer support and a chance to travel and meet other UU Youth. We play games, hear guest speakers and participate in workshops and topic-led discussions. We are involved in outreach and fundraising and work on life skills.
Youth are encouraged to participate in leading the group and/or being a part of the decisions regarding what direction the group will go in.
Youth group provides a safe and comfortable environment to explore and nurture the questions and beliefs of those who participate.
Youth Choir
Our Youth Choir is open to anyone who wants to sing. Consistent attendance and love of singing are the only requirements to join. They generally meet at 11:30 in the Choir Room on Sundays and perform throughout the year. The Adult Choir is open to adults and young adults in High School and older. If you have any question, see our Music Director, Jed Holland, in the Choir Room.
Adult Programs
Food for Thought Thursdays
Writing Your Spiritual Narrative, led by Rev. Stephen Edington Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm, October 14, 21*, 28, and November 4.
Your life is much more than a series of events. It is also an ongoing narrative that tells its own story. What makes is a "spiritual narrative" is the discovery of some of the deeper themes and recurrent meanings that are found in that story/narrative. I'll be using some of the techniques and guideposts I've learned in two intensive writing workshops I've taken in recent years to help shape the direction of the Food For Thought Thursdays Series.
Race to Justice Film Festival. Watch the same films as Kim Steele & Lori Lerude's Race to Justice class and then discuss them afterwards. We will watch movies and talk about how far our country has come in granting civil rights to all our citizens and where we need to go.
The Nashua Buddhist Meditation Group
The Group offers a regular space for UU Church members and community members to join together to practice meditation and to provide opportunities to study the dharma with longtime practitioners and students of Buddhism. See the Nashua Buddhist Meditation Group page for more details.
UU 101
UU 101 is a three part introductory "class" open to anyone wishing to know about our religion's history, theology and this church in particular. The series is offered twice during the church year.
Covenant Groups
Covenant Groups offer adults a chance to meet in a gathering of 8-10 people to have themed discussions and connect with each other on a more personal level than is possible during coffee hour. You can learn more about Covenant Groups and sign up for one at the Information Table in the Dining Room or the church office.
Special Events and Services
Also see the RE Calendar
Water Service (12 September) - An intergenerational gathering where we bring samples of the waters from our summer journeys to share in celebration. A dedication is also offered at this time for our Religious Education (RE) teachers before they begin leading classes the following Sunday.
Thanksgiving Intergen Service (November 21)
Winter Party/White Gifts Collection (December 19) - Students begin the morning by joining the church service for a brief period during which time the White Gifts are offered (members and friends donate gifts for those in need). Afterwards, the older students gather to celebrate winter with crafts and snacks in the auditorium while the preschoolers will meet in their own room.
Spring Party (April 24) - As with the Winter Party, the RE classes (Kindergarten and up) celebrate the coming of spring with crafts and refreshments after the first 15 minutes of service. Plus, we will continue the tradition of performing a service project during the get-together. Anyone with a project suggestion is welcome to contact a member of the RE Committee.
Senior High Service (April 17) - A service designed and led by the Senior High students. Come be amazed!
Intergen Flower Service (June 5) - The last service of the year recognizes the many volunteers who give of their time and talents to our Religious Education program. A Flower Communion is held in which members of the congregation bring flowers. Everyone leaves with a different flower representing the sharing that takes place within our congregation all year long.
Our UU Principles
Each and every person is important;
All people should be treated fairly and kindly;
We should accept one another and keep on learning together;
Each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life;
All persons should have a vote about the things that concern them;
Will work for a peaceful, fair and free world; and
Care for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things.
The Sources of Our Principles
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Religious Education Committee
Director: Chris Parker
Minister: Steve Edington
Church Phone: 882-1091
Members
Laurie Conrad
Jamie Hinkle
Mickeline Saunders Shepherd
Geoff Skelton
Carol Wagner
Barbara Berrios (Adult RE)
Nona Storer (Volunteer Coordinator)
